Standing out from the crowd with a can-do attitude and ongoing charity work, Finesse Windows Limited has been named Which? Trusted Trader of the Year 2021.

Based in the West Midlands, it deals with double-glazing installation, conservatory installations, replacement windows and more.

This title is well deserved as our judging panel was blown away by the company’s commitment to providing a stellar service through a particularly tricky year. It also remains heavily involved in charity work, which our judges were delighted to see.

We caught up with Russell Bridge, managing director at Finesse Windows Limited, for his reaction to the exciting news.

Also see: explore the full line-up of winners at the 15th annual Which? Awards.

Another trophy for the collection

Finesse Windows Limited is no stranger to a Which? award. In fact, the company scooped a Trader of the Month title in 2017, 2019, 2020 and in July of this year.

That success comes courtesy of a dedicated team of professionals. Russell told us that the team now consists of 44 members of staff, including six apprentices ‘to help cope with current and future demand’.

Russell told us: ‘All of the credit for this award goes to our team. Every one of them has a unique and important part to play in the success of every project we undertake. Nothing happens without them and their hard work, so they should all feel extremely proud of their contribution to this magnificent achievement.

‘I’m also proud to say that so many of our staff have been with us for decades.’

Responding to the result, Issy Player, Which? Trusted Traders account manager, said: ‘I’m extremely pleased for Russell and the team. Since being endorsed with us, Finesse Windows has embraced our values and proudly displays its well-earned Which? Trusted Trader badge throughout the business.

‘Despite a challenging year for many businesses, customer service has remained a priority  and the company has continued to go above and beyond for their customers. Huge congratulations to Finesse Windows Limited – a very worthy winner.’

Dealing with the pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has had a massive effect on traders up and down the country.

Finesse Windows Limited is no exception, with Russell telling us: ‘Our business has faced (and overcome) an unprecedented set of challenges in the past 18 months. Everybody has stuck together and supported each other in the most difficult of circumstances.

‘This year represents the 40th year of continuous trading for our family business, so it's a double celebration for us. This Trader of the Year award is the ultimate accolade, and we are hoping to use it as a powerful springboard into the next few years and beyond.’

Stand out from the crowd and become a Which? Trusted Trader today.

Lending a helping hand

The important charity work carried out by Finesse Windows Limited continues to impress our judging panel.

Speaking about this year’s charity efforts, Russell said: ‘Following on from our fundraising work last year to support University Hospital Birmingham, we were invited to take part in one of their social media campaigns to encourage other companies to do the same. Helping our local NHS, and supporting local doctors and nurses has been very important to us for obvious reasons.

‘Recently, we’ve taken a very personalised approach and have been sending bouquets of flowers to any customers who identify themselves as NHS workers. Often, we pick up this information through chats during the quotation process. Then, we usually send flowers at the end of the process once a job is fitted.

‘We have also made a small donation to a local school recently to help facilitate a “dog mentor” scheme. This innovative project provides another tool for the school in its very individual and personal approach to children who may need extra support.’

Inspiring other traders

With Finesse Windows Limited taking home the Trader of the Year award, we asked Russell for advice that was worth passing on to fellow traders.

Russell told us: ‘We were fortunate enough to have been nominated for Trader of the Year in 2017, but we didn't win on that occasion. In the four years since that disappointment, we have worked hard to focus on customer care and excellence in our field, in line with the principles set out by Which?.

‘It’s wonderful to see that this effort has been recognised with this win and the various Trader of the Month awards in between. We encourage all Trusted Traders to persevere through the challenges that come along as it's well worth the effort. In a competitive marketplace such as ours, it's wonderful to be able to differentiate yourself based upon the experience you can provide your customers. We believe that the Which? Trusted Trader scheme goes hand in hand with this philosophy, so we would advocate absorbing it into the very core of what you do – whichever industry you are in.

‘We are so proud to have been honoured with this award. We understand the importance of the title, and we will do our utmost to ensure we are worthy winners and continue to represent Which? Trusted Traders in the best way possible.’

Congratulations once again to Finesse Windows Limited for winning the Which? Trusted Trader of the Year 2021 award.

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